Rewind: Girl Power!

Good day everyone, and welcome to yet again another edition of Rewind, where we talk about music and everything related to it!

As you may have noticed, I love OPM so much. Most of my musical influences comes from OPM. And just a few days ago, I came up with a hypothetical album and today, we make another one. Last time we dealt with numbers in song titles, this time, we go with the sweet sweet voice of our lovely OPM ladies.

Don't get the wrong idea though, these ladies can rock some serious tunes! So just like before, let's set some ground rules:

1.) There should only be a minimum of eight (8) songs and a maximum of 16 songs in this album.
2.) To have a diverse album, each artist can only have a maximum of three (3) songs in this album.
3.) Only one version of each song could be included in the album.
4.) The lead singer should be a female. If she has a male co-lead singer, or the song featured a male artist, that is fine.

So now that we have got that out of the way, let's start the fun!

As usual, it all begins after the jump.

Bus Window Reflections 03/25/15: Medal and Honor

A few days without any entries, been a bit busier due to work and school, but everything's cool now. :)

And unto random stuff!

1.) Probably everyone now knows about this now infamous graduation speech, and everyone has given their two cents about it. I have done the same as well in Facebook, saying "props to the girl for standing up", "the school approached it the wrong way", and more. Now some more thoughts about that in rapid fire mode. Go!

- I wonder what the Valedictorian is feeling now. Oh look they've interviewed her too.
- Come to think of it, we really don't know if she (the Salutatorian) was telling the truth or if she was merely being bitter. What if she was just saying all of that because she wants to be the Valedictorian, will all of those that reacted react the same way?
- The school has now come out and said their side, I bet we give this until next week before everyone moves to the next hot topic.
- I know honor and medals and stuff is something that we all like specially if we think we deserve it, but woah there girl, there is more to life than these medals.


2.) It's graduation season and one of my youngest cousins said "Hay sa wakas natapos na rin sa pag-aaral", and in my mind I was like, "Oh you're just getting started."


3.) I've got a lot or Rewind entries the past few days, and when I looked at my articles for posting, guess what, a lot more Rewind posts! It's just that much easier to talk about music, right?

4.) Holy sh!t! Time flies so fast. By next week it would be April already and 3 months of 2015 is history!

5.) Finally, I got to watch this particular video again. It's all about Honor and Excellence. You know that video. Just go. Watch it. Now.

Bookmark: Samahang Walang Kapantay

So I decided to write a poem on the fly, let's see how this goes.

May isang samahan akong nakilala

Nagdala ng kasiyahang di inakala

Walang kapantay, walang kawangis

Ibang iba talaga, walang kasing bangis

  

Dahil sayo kay daming nakilalang tao

Mga taong magtatagal wari ko

Iba iba man ang aming mga pagkatao at ugali

Makasama sila'y kailanma'y di pagkakamali

 

Mga kaibigan, kapamilya, at kabarkada

Yung mga tipong isasama mo sa Sagada

May mga mas bata at mga mas matatanda

Still we make good music, parang banda

 

Tanda mo yung mga ate at kuya sa MK

Yes, yung mga walang kasing okay

Sila yung naggabay sa akin nung bago ako

May mga payo na ayos at merong ding mga loko

         
 

Tapos nandyan yung mga kabatch, mga kasabayan

Nung una tahimik, then eventually kasama na sa tagayan.

Ang dami kong natutunan sa kanila, di man halata

Sabay sabay kaming lumaki, parang magkakabata

 

And then dumating na yung mga mas bata sakin

Sa kulit and galing, they are certainly not lacking

I wanted to be an awesome mentor para sa kanila

Eh sa kanila pa ako matututo ng marami pala

  

 

Sino sino nga ba sila, maaring tanong nyo yan

Syempre kasama dyan yung mga ser, rekta na yan

Tas included syempre yung sa execomm ay nakasama

And of course yung gatas na batch,closeness ay damang dama

  

May panahon na ako'y lumayo, tila nawala

Ito ay kailangan, iyon ang aking inakala

Para lumaki at matuto, tama din naman

Pero sa dulo, mahalaga pa rin ang samahan

 

Kaya ito nagbabalik bago mahuli ang lahat

Sa pagbalik, panibagong ako'y buhat buhat

Pero di naman masyadong nagbago, nagimprove lang baga

Mas magiging mabuting kaibigan at mentor, sa bato iya'y itaga

  

At ngayo'y may mga panibagong kaibigan muli

They seem to be a great batch, to tell you trully

Nawa'y makilala pa lalo at maging kalapit

Tulad ng mga nauna nang kaibigang mga walang kapalit

  

 

 

Mahigit isa ng dekada na ito'y nasa aking buhay

Dala nila sa akin ay walang humpay na ayahay

Para sa inyong lahat, alay ang tulang ito

Tingnan nga natin kung paano ko kayo mababanggit dito

 

Ilang years na kitang kilala, ngayon magthithirty ka na

Sobrang daming kaibigan, family ng maituturing pa nga

Di kita makakalimutan, I absolutely have no reason why

Now and forever, aim high fly high, UP Tangway

Rewind: The Numbers Game

Bakit numbers?

I was browsing our OPM CD collections and I saw a couple of compilation albums and I thought to myself, "What could be a unique idea for a themed OPM compilation album?" And then it hit me:

Numbers.

That's right, let's make a hypothetical compilation album comprised of songs with numbers in their title. But before we get going, let's set some ground rules in selecting the songs first.

1.) The official title should have a numeral in it (e.g. 1,2,3) and not words (e.g. one, two, three)
2.) Only one version of the song could be included in the list (e.g. We have Bakit Pt.2, Bakit Pt.2 (acoustic), and Bakit Pt. 2 (2014). Only one of those three could be included.)
3.) Songs that have alternate versions whose title has a number on it is included (e.g. Mata and Mata 2) but not if the number added is a year (e.g. Jopay and Jopay (2014))

So, let's begin! The fun starts after the jump!

From The Vault: True Friends

I absolutely have lost context about what they/we are referring to in here, but still, cool. :)

Rewind: An 8-Track Beauty

Good day everyone and welcome to another edition of Rewind! In this edition of Rewind, we will look at the most recent album of one of my favorite OPM bands, Silent Sanctuary. That's right, ladies and folks, we will be doing an album review of Silent Sanctuary's Monodramatic!

The Album:

Artist: Silent Sanctuary
Year Released: 2013
Track List:

1. Bumalik Ka Na Sa’kin  
2. Meron Nang Iba 
3. Abot Langit 
4. Sama-Sama 
5. Masanay Ka Muna 
6. Sa’yo 
7. Sa’yo (Orchestral Version) *Bonus Track 
8. Meron Nang Iba *Bonus Track

Monodramatic is the latest Silent Sanctuary album, being the fourth studio album that the band released. It includes songs that experienced commercial success in Bumalik Ka Na Sa'kin and Sayo, among others. This is the third album that the band released under their current line-up, following the release of Mistaken for Granted in 2009, finally ending a four year wait for the fans of the band, and of OPM in general.


The Eargasms (a.k.a. The Good Stuff)

All songs in the album are quality songs. True to vintage Silent Sanctuary fashion, most of the songs talk about hearth aches and other matters of the heart, both in upbeat songs and in slow dramatic songs. I also liked that somehow, it felt like the album has one central theme, that being relationships and distances.

Now let's talk about the individual songs, well, at least some of them. Let's start with arguably the most recognizable song in the album, Bumalik Ka Na Sa'kin.

Let me start this off with how the song started, those drum beats. I absolutely love that part. And that part alone already made me like this song. An upbeat song about two lovers who seemingly had a disagreement, and now the man is wooing her back. Who hasn't been in such a similar situation?

Next on, Sa'yo.

Contrary to Bumalik Ka Na Sa'kin, Sa'yo is a much much MUCH more mellow song, in both versions if I may add, chronicling the unclear status between two people. Again, who have not been or at least seen such a situation? Silent Sanctuary at their best, ladies and gentlemen.


The Nails-on-the-Chalkboard (a.k.a. The Not-So-Good Stuff)

I've said this before, and I've said it a lot, but really, just eight tracks? I mean, I love Silent Sanctuary, but a full track album with just eight tracks, with two of them being 'bonus' tracks as they are alternate versions of songs already in the same album. I had EPs before that were 5-6 songs longs, and now we get an eight-song-album (but I still bought the original copy of the album, so I guess it ain't that much of a factor).

Then again, if you are just going to have 6/8 songs in your album, better make sure that all of them are quality songs. And in my opinion, Silent Sanctuary did just that.


Coda (a.k.a. Conclusion)

Eight tracks or not, Silent Sanctuary has yet again churned another solid, if not better than solid, album in Monodramatic. While the second album (Fushiang Pag-ibig) still remains as my favorite Silent Sanctuary album, Monodramatic is slowly going up my all-time favorite chart. Heck, I think it's such a strong album that all of the songs in it are good songs, i.e. walang patapon. It would be an album that you could just play while on a drive and not worry about skipping any tracks. All in all, in my own unprofessional verdict, I give it four out of five cassette tapes!

Guys, let's keep supporting OPM!

Sporks Up! If Sugar Could Talk

   Hello everyone and welcome to Sporks Up! Sporks Up is the brand new line of entries here at The Bakit List wherein we would talk about, you guessed it, sporks!- - -no, wait, that should be- - - we would talk about food! Just a disclaimer though, I am no food expert, nor did I finish any culinary related courses. I do however, love food, both eating AND actually cooking food. So while I may not be the most qualified person to talk about food, I am not entirely clueless about it either! 

   For our inaugural entry, we'd talk about a brand new food location that's creating buzz online! Get your sweet tooth ready as we talk about SugarTalk!

Bus Window Reflections 03/19/15: Hope, Destiny, Pain and Love

An early one today, so let's get this one out of the way!

1.) First off, prayers to Arwind, his mom, and their whole family. In case you missed it, Arwind’s mom fainted during last night’s PBA game. I don’t know the family personally, nor am I one of Arwind’s biggest fans, but still, you just can’t help but feel for the guy. I just can’t imagine what was going through his mind at that moment. Before following his mom to the hospital, Arwind still managed to play for a couple of minutes, but it was obvious that he is bothered. Not that you can’t blame him, I don’t think anyone can do anything else at that situation, let alone play a competitive game of basketball. As I always say, family first. I do hope this is nothing serious.


2.) In connection to the point above, boy did I feel uncomfortable watching that game last night. Sure, TNT smacking around SMB on a must win game did not help, but after the incident with Arwind’s mom, I just felt blank. Usually I’m frustrated when my team is losing (and they are losing BAD, in a MUST WIN game. I should be furious!), but last night was different. It felt like the wind was knocked out of me. Even at moments where the team looks like they are going to make a run, nothing. I couldn’t even smile. It’s like I didn’t care about the results of the game! It even felt like some, if not most of Arwind’s teammates felt the same. Sure some may spout stuff about being mentally tough, but this is family and health we are talking about. What I was feeling is not even a fraction of what Arwind might have been feeling. Again, a reminder that there are some things that we are just more important than others.


3.) On a lighter note, the 2019 FIBA World Cup would be held in Asia, with the last two finalists being China and the Philippines! While the logistical advantage is with China, there are some factors that are in favor of the Philippines. But heck, it would be beyond awesome if we get to host it. Aside from getting the automatic berth in the tournament, it would be cool to see the very best playing in Philippine soil. Sure, some of the older players now, like Pau Gasol, might not be playing by 2019 (which is still FOUR years away). Heck, even some of the best of the USA like LeBron and Carmelo might not play in it (not that they play at the FIBA tournaments a lot), but I think we still get to see awesome talents like Anthony Davis and Steph Curry. Oh how I hope we pull this one out.

4.) While waiting for the bus earlier today, a pair of guys in a motorcycle stopped near me to ask for directions. A song was blaring out of the motorcycle of this two huge guys. The song? This song.

And it was playing this part at that moment: "Bat di pa sabihin, ang hindi mo maamin? Ipauubaya na lang ba ito sa hangin?".

A lot of people hold back what they want to say because of various reasons, and I understand that. People most of the time wants to have the perfect opportunity to say whatever they want to say. But just food for thought: Sometimes, we ourselves need to make the opportunity the perfect opportunity, otherwise, there'd be no progress.


5.)  “Kaya masakit pa kasimahal mo pa”. I heard this line while my parents were watching Forevermore. While I do agree with the premise of the statement, I think most of those who heard the line (and reacted online) thought that the statement likewise implies that if it doesn’t hurt anymore, then you don’t love the person anymore, to which I disagree. If it hurts, then yes most likely you still love them, but it doesn’t necessarily follow that if it doesn’t hurt anymore that we don’t love them anymore. It could be just because we have accepted whatever has happened, that despite us still loving them, we have just made peace with the situation, and thus, it doesn’t hurt anymore. It has stopped hurting you, but you still love them. See, love is such a wonderful thing, even after all the pain.

..and I wouldn't pass up the chance for a OMC reference! 

“I guess in the end, things seldom work out the way you expect. 

Sometimes, fate is on your side, other times, well, you’ve kind of sealed your own fate. 

Either way you have to trust that whatever’s supposed to happen, will happen.”

Bus Window Reflections 03/17/15: SATISFACTION

Bakit pananagutin?

Another set of random stuff and ideas! Whew, I'm slowly running out of words to use in these intros.

1.) We've heard it a lot recently, but what is Command Responsibility? It is a term that has military background, but is now also used in government. As our friend, Wikipedia, states, "The term may also be used more broadly to refer to the duty to supervise subordinates, and liability for the failure to do so, both in government, military law, and with regard to corporations and trusts."

So?

This does not mean that whoever had the short coming is not liable anymore, nor does it mean that the superior is the sole and main culprit. All it states is that if your subordinate has a shortcoming, you'd also be liable for it. Part of what happened rests on your shoulders. That's just part of being a leader. As I often say, "You could delegate some of your responsibility, but never your accountability."

2.) Look at this picture:

What a cute couple. Yep, I'm talking about Batman and Darna.

3.) Something really random, petty, and generally pilosopo lang. But have you noticed how some comfort room signage show the following:

So what happens if you are NOT a gentleman but a big jerk? You won't be able to use that comfort room? eh? eh? See, I told you, pilosopo lang.

4.) I don't know if it is really an upward trend or if I am just seeing them more often since I travel almost everyday, but, damn, the number of accidents happening in the high way sure are a lot recently.

                          

Damn.

5.) And to end this entry in a more positive note, I was skimming through a reading for our Management 201 class and I find it oddly satisfying to see the name of our college, UP-NCPAG, in it. In general, I find it satisfying learning new things, and even relearning things I thought I already knew! And not just from school or those acads related. Learning and relearning stuff related to cooking, gundam kit making, music, sports, etc, is a great satisfaction.

"Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think."

The Podium: Ani mo Anime

"Bakit Anime?"

    I grew up being influenced by a lot of various stuffs, ranging from the serious to the not-so-serious ones, from the trivial stuff as well as the major and fundamental stuff. One of those that influenced me during my childhood was Anime. Anime, for those living under a rock the past two decades is, well you should know what Anime is even if you are living under a rock. Some may say it is childish to be enamored by such childish shows, but if you do look at the underlying tones and the rather complicated plot and story lines, anime is certainly a lot different from your typical comedic nearly slapstick cartoon shows. I even remember back then, these anime series were the telenovelas of my time. There would be the anime series being shown before primetime at 4 to 6pm, then the primetime slot at 7 to 8pm would also be showing anime series. Then you’ve got anime on during the weekends as well, and anime merchandise from trading cards (or teks!) to pogs, to tops, and posters, and shirts and all sorts of apparel were abound! Anime, to put it simply, was all around me during my childhood.

   And so, in this entry, I present to you the top 5 most influential anime series of my childhood. Do note that this would only include anime series that I watched during my childhood to early teen years, so that would be around 1997 to 2004. So I’m sorry, as much as I am a HUGE fan of Shingeki No Kyojin (and all those kick-ass OP songs) it just wouldn’t be included in the list, as well as the so-called Big 3 of manga today, Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece.

(Additional note: When we are talking about influential “children shows” then the Power Rangers series, specially the first one – Mighty Morphin, would no doubt be included. But we are talking about anime series here. So maybe that could be a topic for another time.)

NUMBER 5 DIGIVOLVES TO!

Digimon, or Digital Monsters, was introduced to me thanks to ABS-CBN as they tried to answer GMA 7’s flaghip anime series at that time (which to the surprise of no one, would appear at this list later). Digital monsters are...monsters that are made up of…digital data. So…yeah. Digimon has spawned seven (or is that now eight?) seasons, with all but two a separate story on their own (though the latest series seems to try and tie them all together). I grew up watching the first season of Digimon, Digimon Adventures. It features seven (eventually becoming eight) kids who are the Digidestined. The Digidestined together with their partner Digimons set off to an adventure to fulfill their destiny of saving the Digiworld.

So why did it digi-influence you Kelvz?

These are monsters evolving and getting high tech equipment and armaments. So you have a dinosaur-dragon hybrid that is equipped with an armor and huge metal claws that throws a huge energy sphere! What’s not to love? Not to mention the team aspect, plus the concept of the crests (which represents values such as courage, friendship, love, etc). As a growing boy, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to imagine having a dragon/dinosaur companion that becomes an even stronger monster thanks to your will and determination.

EDIT:

HOLY SHIT DIGIMON ADVENTURE TRI!

LET’S VOLT IN NUMBER 4!

“Fly together!”

“LETS-VOLT-IN!”

“♫ Denterententeeen-tenten.Denterententeeeen-tenten.Dererereen…Derereen..

Dundundererereredundundundun..Dundundererereredundundundun! ♫”

(Admit it, you know how that seemingly random words actually sounds. And yes, here is a link to that awesome opening)

I love robots. I love giant robots even more. I love giant robots that combine. Therefore, I love Voltes V.

How did Voltes V volt in your life, Kelvz?

Imagination dude, imagination. Thanks to Voltes V, my imagination ran wild! Who would have thought, five seemingly independent vehicles becoming one giant robot. Then his weapons are just out of the box. Fingers that turns into missiles, belt as whip, a freaking ultra electro magnetic top! It seems like anything and everything could become a weapon.

FOR THREEEEEE!

Gung-gong! Gori! Boy Labo. Mitchi. Kulotski. L-O-V-E-RuKaWa. Henyo.

All too familiar, right? Being a huge sports fan, watching Slam Dunk was nothing short of delightful. It was the first sports-centric anime that I watched, and many after soon followed (Hungry Heart, Knock Out and Diamond no Ace to name a few).

So why did Slam Dunk won your heart?

Two words: Anime and Sports. I know this ain’t realistic - virtually no substitutions, running down the court that feels like a kilometer long, shots that stay in the air for three episodes (I’m looking at you Kogure) – but still, the thrill is still there. Add in some nice subplots, like Mitsui’s back story and Sakuragi’s growth, plus a large range of characters and teams. Heck, until now I am still waiting for them to animate the rest of the manga! 

(TWO) Catch them all!

I wanna be the very best, like no one ever has..
(Dun dun dundun!)

Who here grew up not knowing about Pokemon?

Pokemon was a HUGE thing back then. It all began (for me) with the anime, and then eventually it continued to the games. To say that the anime series back then was a big thing would be an understatement. I used to wait every Friday nights on GMA 7 to catch the Pokemon anime series (which ABS-CBN answered by showing the original Digimon Adventure series at the same time slot). Pokemon's influence stretches generations, and I bet the younger fans of the series does not even know/remember that Pikachu was once a fat mouse, and a big jerk of a mouse at that:

The world of Pokemon has expanded so much that it started with 151 Pokemons,

..has now expanded to include 750+ Pokemons!

So how and why did Pokemon captured your childhood?

I mean, just look at those things! As a child, it would really appeal to your imagination. Think of it as having your dog grow and learn how to fight (without the danger of dying! They always just faint!). Then you discuss and play with your friends on how to create the ultimate Pokemon team, that it is so cool to have a Pidgeotto (it was!), on who was the best Eevee evolution, on which fossil to choose, and ofcourse, who starter Pokemon one should choose,

which I might add, is a discussion that spanned generations!

Pokemon is so influential that it is now a huge part of popular media. And it all started almost two decades ago, with a world renowned professor asking you such a deep question:

Ore Wa, Gundam!

This probably should come as no surprise if you've been following me for quite some time. I'm a huge fan of Gundam.

Let's throw away the format, and go straight as to why Gundam is f*cking awesome!

1.) Huge Robots



2.) Huge Robots with angel wings!

3.) Huge Robots with Scythe!

4.) Huge Robot that can snipe the heck out of you!

5.) Huge Robot with huge guns!



6.) Huge Robot with swords AND floating swords!



7.) MOAR HUGE ROBOTZZZ!!